Napoleon: A Political Life, by Steven Englund. This flowing and comprehensive review of Napoleon's political, personal and military career perceptively reveals Napoleon to have been more than a military genius. This Biography is among the best that have come out in recent years for it focuses on Napoleon the man, what he thought and how he acted in the face of one of the greatest epochs in European history. This is the book to read to get a feel of the man wrapped in the myth that is Napoleon! Highly Recommended...
At Napoleon's Side In Russia, by Armand De Caulaincourt. This memoir by one of Napoleon's most trusted aides and confidants is thought to be among the most accurate, as well as readable, of the many books that came out after the demise of the French Empire. Caulaincourt was with Napoleon every step of the march to Moscow and even shared his carriage durring the disasterous retreat. Much of what we know about Napoleon during this crucial time is because Caulaincourt took copious if hurried notes at every stop along the way. This book is an interesting companion to another memoir written from the Russian side by General Carl von Clausewitz called The Campaign of 1812 in Russia.
The Road to Rivoli , by Martin Boycott-Brown is an excellent narrative and analytical history of Napoleon's first campaign. He was only 26 when he was put in command of the Army of Italy. His audacity, courage and intelligence allowed him to drive his army nearly to the gates of Vienna. This book will satisfy both the scholar and the enthusiast. It is based on both primary and secondary sources in German, French and Italian.
1813 Leipzig: Napoleon and the Battle of the Nations, by Digby Smith. It took 3 major defeats for Napoleon to finally be separated from power. First he was smitten in the Russian Campaign, and his final defeat occurred famously at Waterloo. But it was Leipzig where Napoleon was pounded hardest. It was the largest battle of the Napoleonic wars and justly called the "Battle of the Nations". The French were arrayed against the Russians, Austrians, Prussians and Swedes. 38,000 Frenchmen were killed or wounded and 55,000 of the allies were left on the field of battle. With pictures and maps and drawing heavily on primary sources written at the time, Digby Smith has produced a readable, fascinating and clear picture of the battle, its causes and aftermath.
Napoleon and His Collaborators: The Making of a Dictatorship, by Isser Woloch. This interesting work takes a look at the men behind the throne, from the usual suspects, Talleyrand and Fouche' to more obscure but no less interesting characters. The reader of this book should already be familiar with Napoleonic History at least in outline. As a thesis the book carries the notion that there was a certain give and take between Napoleon and these men behind the scenes. They supported him because he could give them what they wanted, stability, material wealth and positions of influence. Meanwhile they gave legitimacy to his rule as well as enhanced his power.
Napoleon's Regiments : Battle Histories of the Regiments of the French Army, 1792-1815, by Digby Smith. Each unit of the Grande Armee is examined in this comprehensive work. Chapters deal with the origin, organization, standards, battle honors and even what happened to the unit after Napoleon's downfall. There are also charts and illustrations. This book is for the die hard Napoleon fan interested in the organizational structure behind the glorious battles.
The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, by Robert Asprey. This is the first half of a projected two volume project that depicts the glory years of Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars that came to a climax in 1805. Mr. Asprey is even handed in his treatment of the Emperor. He draws primarilly on the voluminous correspondence of Napoleon himself. This is an interesting read. A must have for any student of Napoleonic history.
1815 the Waterloo Campaign: The German Victory: From Waterloo to the Fall of Napoleon, by Peter Hofschroer. It will forever be an argument among military historians as to how the victory of the allies at Waterloo came about. Wellington's thin red lines refused to waver, and the squares resisted the onslaught of heavy French Cavalry, but could they have withstood the final assault of the Old Guard (supported by the Young Guard) had the Prussians not come up on the flank of the French to divert a major portion of this force? This work argues that the real victors at Waterloo were the Prussians. A fascinating read. Contains 25 illustrations, 25 maps with previously unpublished German eyewitness accounts and regimental reports.
My Napoleon is a wonderfully illustrated children's book about Napoleon while on the island of St. Helena. Based on the diary entries of a young girl who knew Napoleon.
